markracer72 Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I didn't think it an unreasonable request to allow me to walk my 10 year old son up that long ramp to the top of the grandstands. I just wanted him to be overcome by that same sense of awe that I had when my dad took me there for the first time, right after the track first opened. That sense of awe that comes from seeing a place of that magnitude for the first time. A simple request. I offered to pay admission, just to spend a few minutes with my son up there.To share that special moment with him before the track succumbs to the progress of the city and the decay caused by lack of interest. They refused, without giving any reason. The persons I spoke with at the track, were, to my mind, very unreasonable, uncaring , and uncompassionate. If I were a wealthy man, I would buy that piece of my history and find a way to re-build, and revive that awesome giant, and bring it back even beyond it's former glory. The people I spoke to however, would not be working there. I love you Texas World Speedway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfbarnes Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 It's likely more of a liability reason, and I thought the grandstands were condemned a while back, but I may be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markracer72 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 It just doesn't make sense to me how a giant concrete pad could be hazardous. I did even ask if we could go escorted by a track employee. Honestly, I really wanted to see that view one last time again for myself as much as I wanted my son to experience it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Ever since the grandstands were condemned no one has been allowed access to the grandstands. At least that is been my understanding. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markracer72 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I grew up in Navasota, and spent all my Saturday nights at Moody Clary speedway, my dad parked cars there, and was at every stock car race at TWS until 1980. I guess I had a good childhood then, but now all of those places are going or gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markracer72 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Thanks y'all. I guess there is no way. My son was just born too late to share that memory. Sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 SAD deal those who never walked that path have really missed that view .. I also remember my first walk like yours /wow breath taking your mind cant fathom the reality of that view with out being there .I stood in the middle of the pits looking both ways ..those turn walls looked a long ways away and were .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
top_shelf_12 Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I need to find pictures from the ARCA race we went to there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Ever since the grandstands were condemned no one has been allowed access to the grandstands. At least that is been my understanding. Nick Yep. I still race there several times a year. Haven't been able to go to the top of the grandstands in years. Find a weekend with an event and take your son inside the track. Not exactly the same, but you can wander through the garages and most of the infield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txtom Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 That big concrete pad is part of the reason they won't let anyone up there. The dirt under it is the bigger issue. A major glaring failure during the track rebuild in the late 80's was neglecting to address the condition of the dirt under the grandstands. It currently has sinkholes, crevices, and caverns you can drive through under all that concrete, and THAT is why they will not let you, me, or anyone else up there. Liability. Take a close look at this pic, taken before they removed all the aluminum bleachers. You will see a slight waiver in the stands, like they bow a little. That is not the bleachers; that is the concrete collapsing into those previously mentioned crevices and sinks. When it finally closes, I wouldn't want to be the guy that starts plowing all that crap up. He could hit a bad spot at any moment and start a collapse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
top_shelf_12 Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Sad looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markracer72 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Really is sad. I had no idea it was That bad. Sorry to be such a whiner. It was just one of the few good memories I have of my dad, and I guess I have been too wrapped up in trying to kind of hand it down to my boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 I'll be racing there again in December. If you think about it, message me, and come out. It will be an endurance road race; 8 hours each day. Even in disrepair, it's an impressive place. Also, there's a race there September 12-13. 8 hours each day, plus another 8 hours at night. Couple hours between each segment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markracer72 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Ok. Thanks. We may just do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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